Miniature wrist watch switch

ABSTRACT

An extremely small time-setting switch adapted for mounting in a hole in the case of an electric or electronic wrist watch. The switch is provided with a coin slot whereby it may be rotated to any one of a plurality of operating positions including a run position, a stop position, a minutes change position, and an hours change position. The switch is provided with a construction affording an extremely thin, flat package that has a stainless steel, sealed exterior surface. Terminals extend out through the bottom of the base and are formed to make the required connections to the electronic circuit upon mounting of the switch in the watch case. Contact configurations are provided that reduce the height of the switch to a minimum while affording adequate contact pressure.

United States Patent Patz et al. [45] M 4, 1975 MINIATURE WRIST WATCH SWITCI- Primary Examiner-Robert K. Schaefer [75] Inventors: Roman J. Patz, Wauwatosa; Frank AS31510"! -l' Redman 0' Se, Milwaukee; Werner Attorney, Agent, or Firm-H. R. Rather; Wm. A.

Halbeck, Mequon, all of Wis.

73 A I s Q a ssignee (i/later Hammer Inc Milwaukee ABSTRACT An extremely small time-setting switch adapted for 7 1974 mounting in a hole in the case of an electric or elec- [21] Appl. No.: 455,923 tronic wrist watch. The switch is provided with a coin slot whereby it may be rotated to any one of a plural- 7 ity of operating positions including a run position, a 200/ 200/] ii gg gg stop position, a minutes change position, and an hours 7 Fie'ld H 275 change position. The switch is provided with a construction affording an extremely thin, flat package that [56] Ref re Cited has a stainless steel, sealed exterior surface. Terminals e nces extend out through the bottom of the base and are UNITED STATES PATENTS formed to make the required connections to the elec- 1,7l7.285 5/1926 Vickery 200/11 C tronic circuit upon mounting of the switch in the 2 .8 l/l966 Corey ZOO/ll watch case. Contact configurations are provided that 3.371.167 2/1968 Soulakis, Jr ZOO/ll reduce the height of the switch to a minimum while affording adequate contact pressure.

12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 1 MINIATURE WRIST WATCH SWITCH BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Miniature time-setting switches have been known heretofore. However, these prior switches have had one or more of the disadvantages that they required SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to miniature wrist watch switches and, more particularly to unitary pluralposition time-setting switches of the rotary type.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved switch for an electronic wrist watch.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide an improved miniature time-setting switch that is easily assembled into the case of a wrist watch.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide a switch of the aforementioned type with improved contact-terminals that afford an extremely thin switch assembly.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide a switch of the aforementioned type with improved integral contact-terminals that afford connection thereof to the electronic watch circuit upon inserting of the switch into a hole in the watch case.

Another specific object ofthe invention is to provide a switch of the aforementioned type with an improved sealed actuator and housing that presents a relatively flat metal surface at the exterior of the switch case.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide a switch of the aforementioned type that has relatively few parts.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a greatly enlarged top view of a miniature wrist switch watch showing internal details including the switch contacts in broken lines in the run position;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of the switch of FIG. 1 showing a side view of one of the integral contact-terminals;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of the switch of FIG. 1 showing the cross-section of the coin slot and an end view of one of the integral contactterminals; and

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are lesser enlarged schematic top views ofthe switch showing the contacts in broken lines in the hold. minutes change, and hours change positions. respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. l-3, there is shown a miniature wrist watch switch constructed in accordance with the invention. This switch is provided with a generally flat circular insulating base 2 having a shallow circular cavity 4 therein and a plurality of shallow, generally rectangular slots 6, 8 and 10 in the bottom of this cavity for retaining integral contact-terminals 12, 14 and 16, respectively. Slots 8 and 10 are angularly spaced alongside the periphery of cavity 4 and slot 6 is at the center of this cavity aligned with the space between slots 8 and 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each such slot has a generally rectangular shallow portion for retaining the contact portion of the associated contact-terminal and a square hole 6a, 8a and 10a, at one end of such shallow portion through which the terminal portion of the associated integral contact-terminal extends out with an interference fit to extend below the base.

Each such integral contact-terminal is made from a ribbon-like strip of BeCu or the like and has a bend between the contact and terminal portions so that whereas the terminal portion extends down through its square hole in the base and is formed to provide pressure engagement with connectors or a .printed circuit board within the watch case, the contact portion extends horizontally along the shallow portion of its slot in the bottom of the base. This contact portion is bent back at about its midpoint through an angle of about so that its upper contacting surface extends up at an angle of about 15 from the floor of cavity 4 in the base. This small upward angle provides inherent contact pressure when contact carrier 18 and movable contact 20 are clamped down thereon as hereinafter described. The tip of the contacting part is bent down so that it will not catch on the edge of the movable contact when the knob is rotated.

This contact carrier 18 is made of insulating material to electrically insulate movable bridging contact 20 from metal knob 22. As shown in FIG. I and 2, this contact carrier 18 is a generally flat circular disk recessed partway in a complementary shallow recess 22a in knob 22 and having a cylindrical lug 18a integral therewith and extending up into a complementary bore 22b that extends eccentrically from recess 22a partway up into knob 22 as shown in FIG. 3. The lug and bore are offset from the center of rotation so that when the knob is rotated, it rotates the contact carrier with it.

To provide detenting for stopping the movable contact in each of its four operating positions, contact carrier 18 is provided at its periphery with a pair of small arcuate lugs 18b and molded integrally therewith and spaced 180 apart. On the inner wall within cavity 4 of the base there are provided a plurality of complementary arcuate notches 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d spaced 90 apart forming catches for lugs 18b and 18c to provide feel when the switch reaches its various operation positions. For this purpose, both the base and the contact carrier are made of a suitable molding material that has sufficient resiliency and a low coefficient of friction to allow lugs 18b and 180 to slide out of notches 4a and 40 without having to apply excessive turning force to the knob and to minimize wear.

This contact carrier 18 is further provided with a shallow recess 18d on its lower surface for retaining movable bridging contact 20, this recess having a shape complementary to the shape of the movable contact to retain the latter securely therein. This shallow recess has a depth substantially equal to the thickness of the movable bridging contact so that the lower surface of the movable bridging contact is substantially coplanar with the lower surface of the Contact carrier and there is a smooth transition of each stationary contact from contact carrier to movable contact as the knob is turned.

The aforesaid movablebrid'ging contact '20 has the shape of a modified half-diskas shown in FIG. 1 in which the half-disk is enlarged at its diametric center to provide'an'enlar'ged contact area at the center of the Switchiwhereinstationary contact 12 is positioned to enable the movable bridging contact-to remain in largearea engagement, .with stationary contact 12 at all times..-

is preferablysstainless steel or the like that matches the watchcase, in whichthe switchis used. This knob is agenerallyflat disk having the aforesaid circular reces's 22a and bore 22b in its 'lower surface'for retaining 'contactcarrier .18. The upper surface of this knob.is provided with an arcuate-depthidime slot 220 into which acoin of that denomination or other suitable tool may be inserted to provide a handle for rotating'the knob. This knob is further provided with aradially-stepped-annular peripheral portion to provide a first: step and riser 22a for retaining an O-ring seal 24 and'a second step and riser 22e of shorterradius for receiving the circular upper edge 26a of an angular crosssection annular metal frame or retainer 26 that surrounds the knob, O-ring and base.

As shownin FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower edge26b of this retainer is bent or formed over the bottom edge of the base while the parts are clamped together to complete the assembly of the switch. The molding material of the base and contact carrier will have a no-cold-flow characteristic to prevent change of shape when the retainer is clamped thereon. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, retainer 26 has a vertical step 26c on its inner surface to provide an annular shoulder that rests on the upper peripheral edge of the base. This limits the compression of the O-ring seal when the parts are clamped together and. prevents upper edge 26a from locking the knob while providing an effective seal against entry of water or the like.

The periphery of this retainer is provided with a circular surface terminating in a shoulder or rim 26d up to.which the switch can be pressed-fitted into a round hole in the-watch case and frictionally sealed thereinto. A notch 28 maybe provided in the bottom of the base as an aid in orienting the switch in the right direction whenins'erted into t he watch case.

The switch has a plurality of selective operating positions. As shown-in FIG. .1, the movable bridging contact engages onlystationary contact 12' so that no switch closure is. made. Lugs 18b. and 180 are stopped in notches 4a and file-respectively. This is the run position of the switch wherein the watch is running normally. a 1 V FIGS. 4, 5 and6 show the other three=positions of the switchln FIG. 4, the knob has been rotated 90 clockwise wherein lugs 18]; and 180 stop in notches 4b and lit-respectively; and the movable contact bridges stationary-contactslZ and 14. This isthe hold position of the switch wherein'the watch is stopped. Stopping the-watch is desirable to afford accurate time-setting in accordance with a time tone or beep on the radio. For example, the watch can be set accurately on the hour and then stopped while waiting for the time signal. When the time is heard, the knob is turned quickly to runlposition. Assuming that the electronic circuit of the watch always starts counting from the first second of a .A' further 90- clockwise'rotation of the -knob as shown in FIG. 5 causes lugs 18b" and 18c to stop in notches 4c and 4a, respectively, and causes the. movable contact to .bridge all three contacts. This is the minutes-change position of the switch. In this position, the minutes indication keeps advancing. A further 90 clockwise rotation of the knobscauses lugs l8band 18c tolstop in notches 4d and 4b, respectively, and causes the movable contact. to bridge contacts 12 and 16 as shown in FIG. 6. This'is the hours-change position of the switch. In this position the hours indicationkeeps advancing until the switch is turned .to some other position.

Further clockwise rotation of the knob returns the switch to the position shown in FIG. 1. The switch can be turned in either the clockwise direction or the counter-clockwisedirection as desired.

. 6 mmute when restored, this Wlll afford avery accurate time setting depending upon how fast a person can react to the sound of the fbeepf Whilethe-apparatus hereinbefore described is effectively adapted to fulfill the objects stated, it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be confined to the particular preferred embodiment of miniature wrist watch switch disclosed, inasmuch as it is susceptible of various modifications without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A miniature switch adapted to be mounted within a hole in the case of electric and electronic wrist watches for time-setting purposes comprising:

a generally flat insulating base having a shallow cavity therein and a plurality of holes extending from said shallow cavity through the bottom of said base;

a generally flat insulating contact carrier movably retained in said shallow cavity;

a flat movable contact recessed in the lower surface of said contact carrier for movement by the latter;

a plurality of integral contact-terminals, each having a terminal portion extending down through one of the holes in said base and a resilient stationary contact portion in the bottom of said shallow cavity for engagement by said movable contact;

a generally flat metal knob fixed to said contact carrier for moving the movable contact and having a peripheral portion abutting the peripheral portion of :said base about said shallow cavity;

a-seal; I I

and a metal frame secured to said base and clamping said seal against said peripheral portion of said knoband retaining said peripheral portion of said knob. between said peripheral portion of said base .and said seal while allowing relative knob movement therebetween, and said frame having an external configuration fitting the hole in the case in which it is .adapted to be mounted.

2. The switch defined in claim 1, wherein:

said resilient stationary-contact portion of each said integral contact-terminal comprises a metal strip .bent back almost double in order to extend at a small angle above-the bottom of said shallow cavity so that when said movable contact, contact carrier and knob are clampeddown by said frame to bias saidbent-back strip into parallel engagement with said-movable contact adequate contact pressure is provided.

3. The switch defined in claim I, wherein each said contact terminal comprises: I

a ribbon-like strip of resilient good-conducting metal having its terminal portion extending down through said hole in said base and having a right-angle bent between said terminal and stationary contact portions thereof, and said stationary contact portion being bent back to within a small angle of the bottom of said shallow cavity thereby to provide contact pressure when said movable contact is pressed thereagainst.

4. The switch defined in claim 3, wherein:

said hole through the bottom of said base is square;

and said ribbon-like strip terminal portion has an interference fit with opposite corners of said square hole to fix said contact-terminal in said base.

5. The switch defined in claim 4, wherein:

said base is provided with a shallow slot extending from each said square hole in the bottom of said shallow cavity to accommodate the lower part of said bent back stationary contact portion.

6. The switch defined in claim 1, wherein:

said shallow cavity in said base is circular;

said contact carrier is circular to fit snugly and rotatably in said circular shallow cavity;

and said base and contact carrier comprise arcuate lugs and slots in their relatively movable surfaces to provide a detent for switch positioning.

7. The switch defined in claim 6, wherein:

said arcuate lugs and slots are in the peripheral edge of said contact carrier and the inner wall of said shallow cavity.

8. The switch defined in claim 1, wherein:

said generally flat insulating contact carrier is a disk set partway into a complementary round recess in the lower surface of said generally flat metal knob, and said disk having an off-center integrally molded lug seated in a complementary bore in said knob to fix said disk non-rotatably with respect to said knob.

9. The switch defined in claim 8, wherein:

said generally flat metal knob is provided on its exposed upper surface with a slot to facilitate turning the knob with a coin or the like.

10. The switch defined in claim 1, wherein:

' said generally flat metal knob is a generally diskshaped rotary knob having a pair of radial steps around its periphery;

said seal is a resilient O-ring positioned on the outer one of said steps;

and said metal frame is a round ring having an inner periphery engaging the inner one of said steps, a skirt clamped around the edge of said base, and an intermediate portion applying compressive force on said resilient O-ring to seal the knob to the frame.

11.. The switch defined in claim 10, wherein:

said round metal frame comprises an annular flange around its periphery limiting the depth to which the switch can be pressed into a hole in the watch case.

12. The switch defined in claim 1, wherein:

said terminal portions extending out through the bottom of the base are formed to provide resilient contact points for pressure engagement with respective connectors.

DATED March 4, 197 5,

are hereby c0r rected as shown below:

' Wauwatosa; Frank 0. Sell, Milwaukee Werner B, Halbeck, Mequon,

UNI'I EDS'I ATESPATENT AND TRADEMARK oF iCE- CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION v PATENTNO. 33,869,586

lN\/ ENTOR(S) 1 Roman J, Patz, Frank 0. Sell, Werner B Halbeck It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent On the front page, under United States Patent [19] "Patz et al" should read Halbeck et al Y v data item [75] lnventorst, "Roman J. Patz,

all of Wis should read Werner B. Halbeck, Mequon;

Roman J. Patz, Wauwatosa; Frank 0. Sell, Milwaukee, all of Wis data item [73] Assignee: "Cutter-Hammer" should read Cutler-Harmer si ma and Scaled this [SEAL] w n y-fifth Day of November 1975 A Nest:

RUTH c. M-A .4Nexting ()f'f'ffi v RSHALL DANN ".l lau'ms and Trademarks UNITED'YS'I ATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION v PATENT NO. 3 9 5 DATED March 4-, 1975 INVENT0R(S) Roman Jo Patz, Frank 0. Sell, Werner B, Halbeck It is certified that error appears in the above-'identifiedkpatent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

0n the front page, under United States Patent [19] 'Patz et a1" should read Halbeck et al data. item [75] Inventors: "Roman J. Patz, Wauwatosa; Frank 0. Sell, Milwaukee; Werner B Halbeck, Mequon, all of Wis should read Werner B. Halbeck, Mequon;

Roman J. Patz, Wauwatosa; Frank 0. Sell, Milwaukee, all of Wis data item [73] Ass ignee: "Cutter-Hammer" should read Cutler-Hammer Signed and Sealed this ISEAL [w-emy'flflh of November 1975 A nest:

RUTH C. MASON .4 [testing Officer C. MARSHALL DANN nmmissimrer ufiarenrs um] Trudemurkx 

1. A miniature switch adapted to be mounted within a hole in the case of electric and electronic wrist watches for time-setting purposes comprising: a generally flat insulating base having a shallow cavity therein and a plurality of holes extending from said shallow cavity through the bottom of said base; a generally flat insulating contact carrier movably retained in said shallow cavity; a flat movable contact recessed in the lower surface of said contact carrier for movement by the latter; a plurality of integral contact-terminals, each having a terminal portion extending down through one of the holes in said base and a resilient stationary contact portion in the bottom of said shallow cavity for engagement by said movable contact; a generally flat metal knob fixed to said contact carrier for moving the movable contact and having a peripheral portion abutting the peripheral portion of said base about said shallow cavity; a seal; and a metal frame secured to said base and clamping said seal against said peripheral portion of said knob and retaining said peripheral portion of said knob between said peripheral portion of said base and said seal while allowing relative knob movement therebetween, and said frame having an external configuration fitting the hole in the case in which it is adapted to be mounted.
 2. The switch defined in claim 1, wherein: said resilient stationary contact portion of each said integral contact-terminal comprises a metal strip bent back almost double in order to extend at a small angle above the bottom of said shallow cavity so that when said movable contact, contact carrier and knob are clamped down by said frame to bias said bent-back strip into parallel engagement with said movable contact adequate contact pressure is provided.
 3. The switch defined in claim 1, wherein each said contact terminal comprises: a ribbon-like strip of resilient good-conducting metal having its terminal portion extending down through said hole in said base and having a right-angle bent between said terminal and stationary contact portions thereof, and said stationary contact portion being bent back to within a small angle of the bottom of said shallow cavity thereby to provide contact pressure when said movable contact is pressed thereagainst.
 4. The switch defined in claim 3, wherein: said hole through the bottom of said base is square; and said ribbon-like strip terminal portion has an interference fit with opposite corners of said square hole to fix said contact-terminal in said base.
 5. The switch defined in claim 4, wherein: said base is provided with a shallow slot extending from each said square hole in the bottom of said shallow cavity to accommodate the lower part of said bent back stationary contact portion.
 6. The switch defined in claim 1, wherein: said shallow cavity in said base is circular; said contact carrier is circular to fit snuGly and rotatably in said circular shallow cavity; and said base and contact carrier comprise arcuate lugs and slots in their relatively movable surfaces to provide a detent for switch positioning.
 7. The switch defined in claim 6, wherein: said arcuate lugs and slots are in the peripheral edge of said contact carrier and the inner wall of said shallow cavity.
 8. The switch defined in claim 1, wherein: said generally flat insulating contact carrier is a disk set partway into a complementary round recess in the lower surface of said generally flat metal knob, and said disk having an off-center integrally molded lug seated in a complementary bore in said knob to fix said disk non-rotatably with respect to said knob.
 9. The switch defined in claim 8, wherein: said generally flat metal knob is provided on its exposed upper surface with a slot to facilitate turning the knob with a coin or the like.
 10. The switch defined in claim 1, wherein: said generally flat metal knob is a generally disk-shaped rotary knob having a pair of radial steps around its periphery; said seal is a resilient O-ring positioned on the outer one of said steps; and said metal frame is a round ring having an inner periphery engaging the inner one of said steps, a skirt clamped around the edge of said base, and an intermediate portion applying compressive force on said resilient O-ring to seal the knob to the frame.
 11. The switch defined in claim 10, wherein: said round metal frame comprises an annular flange around its periphery limiting the depth to which the switch can be pressed into a hole in the watch case.
 12. The switch defined in claim 1, wherein: said terminal portions extending out through the bottom of the base are formed to provide resilient contact points for pressure engagement with respective connectors. 